Charity launches new book for the million over-65s who are often or always lonely

Older and disabled people using care services in Gloucestershire have among the most contact with friends in the whole of England. That’s according to a new survey from the government’s Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). For the first time, the poll of more than 70,000 people who use social care services were asked about levels of social contact.

Three care users in every 100 in Gloucestershire said they had “little social contact with people and feel socially isolated”, while the figure across England as a whole was five in 100. Hackney, in London topped the list with the highest rate of isolation at 11 in 100, while Blackburn, in Lancashire had the lowest rate at two in 100.

Commenting on the survey, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age said, “This is good news for care users in Gloucestershire but we can’t celebrate just yet because most older people weren’t included in the poll. Nationally one million people over the age of 65 still say they are often or always lonely. “That’s why we’ve just brought out a free Wise Guide book: Healthy, Happy, Connected - Support and Advice for Older People Living Alone. It’s packed with support and ideas for older people who live alone who want to make the most of life.” To order your free guide for yourself, a relative or neighbour please call freephone 0800 319 6611 or order online at www.independentage.org Some experts believe that loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We want the government to follow up on its promise to measure loneliness across the whole of society and target resources at the people who need help the most.